National Convention reconvenes 99.44% of delegates attend; diplomats, journalists observe

YANGON, 17 Feb—With the six objectives — Non-integration of the Union; Non-disintegration of national solidarity; Perpetuation of sovereignty; Flourishing of genuine multi party democracy system; Further burgeoning of the noblest and worthiest of worldly values namely justice, liberty and equality in the State; and For the Tatmadaw to be able to participate in the national political leadership role of the State — the National Convention reconvened at Pyidaungsu Hall of Nyaunghnapin Camp in Hmawby Township, Yangon Division, at 9 am today.

Present on the occasion were Chairman of the National Convention Convening Commission Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council Lt-Gen Thein Sein and members, Chairman of the National Convention Convening Work Committee Chief Justice U Aung Toe and members, Chairman of the NCC Management Committee Auditor-General Maj-Gen Lun Maung and members, chairmen and officials of respective subcommittees, delegates of Kokang Democracy and Unity Party, National Unity Party, Union Kayin League, Union Pa-O National Organization, Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, Lahu National Development Party, and Wa National Development Party, representatives-elect of National Unity Party, Mro (or) Khami National Solidarity Organization, and independent representatives, delegates of national races from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan (South), Shan (North) and Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of peasants from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan (South), Shan (North) and Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of intellectuals and intelligentsia, delegates of workers from Kachin, Kayah, Kayin, Chin, Mon, Rakhine, Shan (South), Shan (North) and Shan (East) States, Sagaing, Taninthayi, Bago, Magway, Mandalay, Yangon and Ayeyawady Divisions, delegates of State service personnel from the State Peace and Development Council, the President’s Office, the Pyithu Hluttaw Office, the Government Office, the Supreme Court, the Attorney-General’s Office, the Auditor-General’s Office, the Multi-party Democracy General Election Commission Office, the Civil Service Selection and Training Board, the Yangon City Development Committee, the Mandalay City Development Committee and ministries, other invited delegates, delegates of 17 armed groups who exchanged arms for peace, and representatives of other organizations, Acting Dean of Diplomatic Corps Chinese Ambassador Mr Li Jinjun, ambassadors of embassies of Brunei, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Russia Federation, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Bangladesh, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, Pakistan, Japan and Singapore, charges d’ affaires of embassies of Nepal, the Philippines and India, diplomats from Egypt, Japan and China, regional coordinators of UN agencies, the president of Myanmar Foreign Correspondents Club and members, officials of the Ministry of Information, correspondents from The Yomiuri Shimbun, Fuji Television Network Inc, Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS), The Nishinippon Newspaper Co, The Sankei Shimbun, NHK, The Mainichi Newspaper, Nippon Television Network Corp (NTV), The Tokyo Shimbun, The Churuchi Shimbun, Asahi Shimbun, VOA, EPA, TV Asahi News, AFP, Ji Ji Press, Reuters, AP and Kyodo news agencies.

NCCC Chairman Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and commission members, NCC Work Committee Chairman Chief Justice U Aung Toe and members, NCC Management Committee Chairman Maj-Gen Lun Maung and members, chairmen and officials of the subcommittees, delegates of political parties, representatives-elect, delegates of national races, delegates of peasants, delegates of workers, delegates of intellectuals and intelligentsia, delegates of State service personnel, and other invited delegates signed the attendance registers at Pyidaungsu Hall and the recreation hall for National Convention delegates.

Prior to the plenary session of the National Convention, NCCC Chairman Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein and members, NCC Work Committee Chairman Chief Justice U Aung Toe and members, and NCC Management Committee Chairman Maj-Gen Lun Maung and members cordially greeted ambassadors and charges d’ affaires of foreign embassies, foreign diplomats, and coordinators of UN agencies.

The NCCC chairman also had a cordial convention with local and foreign correspondents and replied to their queries.

Chairman of the NCCC Secretary-1 Lt-Gen Thein Sein presided over the National Convention Plenary Meeting. Secretary of NCCC Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan acted as MC.

First, Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan announced the start of the plenary session of the meeting as out of 1081 delegates, 1075 attended it, accounting for 99.44 per cent.

Next, the plenary meeting went into recess after the Secretary-1 had delivered an opening speech.

Afterwards, the meeting resumed and Minister Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan explained procedures of the convening of the National Convention, which then went into a recess.

When the plenary meeting restarted, U Maung Hla (a) U Hla Myint of National race group presided over it together with NCC Work Committee member U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin), member of delegate group of political parties U Tun Yin Law, U Yaw Aye Hla of delegate group of representatives-elect, U Mya Aye of delegate group of peasants, Dr Myo Thant Tin of workers delegate group, Dr U Thein Oo Pho Saw of delegate group of intellectuals and intelligentsia, Maj-Gen Aung Thein of delegate group of State service personnel and U Tun Aung Chein of other invited delegate group.

Director (Meeting) of the office of NCC Work Committee U Than Aung acted as MC and Deputy Director U Aung Kyi as co-MC. U Myo Thant (Maung Hsu Shin) explained suggestions made by the delegates about detailed basic principles on power sharing of legislation that will be included in the State constitution.

Maung Hsu Shin delivered a speech. In his speech, he said that first, I would like to wish health and happiness for the National Convention Commission Chairman and members, the Work Committee Chairman and members, the Management Committee Chairman and members and all the delegates.

Esteemed delegates,

Of the sectors for sharing the legislative power, the executive power and the judicial power to be included in drafting a constitution, delegates have presented group-wise suggestions concerning the basic principles for the legislative sector at the National Convention held from 17 May to 9 July 2004.

The 18 papers presented by the delegates at the plenary session of the National Convention held from 24 June to 9 July are:

(a) Political parties delegate group — 7 papers

(b) Representatives-elect group — 5 papers

(c) National races delegate group — 1 paper

(d) Peasants delegate group — 1 paper

(e) Workers delegate group — 1 paper

(f) Intellectuals and intelligentsia delegate group — 1 paper

(g) State-service personnel delegate group — 1 paper

(h) Other invited persons delegate group — 1 paper

The papers were read out by the members of the delegate groups and other delegates at the plenary session.

Now, a collection of the excerpts from the suggestions compiled the panel of meeting chairmen will be presented.

Esteemed delegates,

At the plenary meeting held on 18 May 2004, the Work Committee Chairman said, “In connection with the sharing of legislative power of the State, the National Convention has already laid down a fundamental principle, — the legislative power of the State is shared among Union Hluttaw, Region Hluttaws and State Hluttaws; legislative power stipulated by the State Constitution shall be distributed to self-administered areas. The Work Committee has invited officials of the ministries and respective departments and experts in their respective professions and collected necessary facts and documents after making discussions with them. Concerning the tasks and responsibilities implemented by the ministries, the Work Committee has studied in detail weaknesses and advantages experienced by the central status and state and division levels. Regarding the sharing of legislative power, it has studied the Union Legislative list and State Legislative list in the 1947 Union of Myanmar Constitution. Moreover it has paid serious attention to studying the sharing of the legislative power stipulated in the constitutions of some of the former colonies that freed themselves from under the rule of the British, and some other nations around the world.

“The Work Committee will clarify the proposed legislative list to be entrusted to the Pyithu Hluttaw comprising Amyotha Hluttaw and Pyidaungsu Hluttaw and Region or State Hluttaw in 11 sectors as follows:

(1) Defence and security sector

(2) Foreign Affairs sector

(3) Finance and planning sector

(4) Economic sector

(5) Agricultural and livestock breeding sector

(6) Energy, electric power, mining and forestry sector

(7) Industrial sector

(8) Transport and communication sector

(9) Social sector

(10) Management sector

(11) Judicial sector.

The Work Committee Chairman added: “Now, I have already explained the matters that should be included the Union Legislative list concerning the defence and security sector. Hence, the delegates will have to discuss and give suggestions on whether or not the following basic principles should be laid down to be included in the Union Legislative list concerning defence and security of the State:

1. The defence of the Union of Myanmar and of its every part, and to prepare a defence programme thereof.

2. Defence and security industries.

3. Arms and ammunition and explosives including biological and chemical weapons.

4. Nuclear energy, nuclear fuel and radiation, and mineral resources that produce them.

5. Declaration of war and ceasefire.

6. Peace and stability of State and the rule of law.

7. Police Force.”

Of the seven political parties, the National Unity Party said that the NUP found out that all the matters included in the defence and security sector are comprehensive and appropriate.

The Union Pa-O National Organization said that the national defence covers the task of ensuring security for lives and property of the entire nation without fail. The nation will be able to ward off all alien intrusion, insults and threats only if its defence and security is strong. Thus, all necessary preparations must be made for defence and security. The seven points presented by the Work Committee Chairman should be included in the Union legislative list as a basic principle.

Mro or Khami National Solidarity Organization said that the seven points should be included in the Union legislative list as a basic principle.

Lahu National Development Party said that as the defence and security sector, the foreign affairs sector and judiciary sector are required for a nation, the seven basic principles for the defence and security sector, the seven basic principles for the foreign affairs sector and the 11 basic principles for judiciary sector are found to be appropriate to be included in the Union legislative list as basic principles.

Union Kayin League said that as the defence and security sector is of vital importance for the nation, it is required for the nation to become modern and strong. The seven points explained by the Work Committee chairman should be included in the Union legislative list as the basic principles.

Kokang Democracy and Unity Party said that the State security is of vital importance for the nation. Public lives and property will be secure and at ease only if there is State security. The points explained by the Work Committee Chairman should be included in the Union legislative list as basic principles.

Wa National Development Party said that a strong national defence cannot be built overnight. Preparations must be made for national defence. And if necessary laws must be enacted. Thus, it should be included in the Union legislative list concerning the matters defence of the Union of Myanmar and all her parts and preparations for defence to enact laws if necessary.

Defence and security industry should be set up as necessary for national preparedness in the defence and security. Thus, it should be included in the Union legislative list concerning the matter defence and security industries to enact laws if necessary.

National defence and security have interrelations. The State will have to safeguard the nation against all alien intrusions and to ensure public security. To do so, the nation should have a law concerning ammunition and explosives including biological and chemical weapons. Thus, the matter concerning the ammunition and explosives including biological and chemical weapons should be included in the Union legislative list to enact laws for the sake of public safety.

At present, the nuclear energy, nuclear fuel and radiation are being used for civilian as well as military purposes. But the correct way of controlling the original mineral that produces nuclear energy or fuel and causes radiation is required. But the task of controlling the material can be carried out only by the State. Thus, the matter concerning the mineral resources that produce nuclear energy or fuel and cause radiation should be included in the Union legislative list to enact laws.

The power of declaration of war and ceasefire is entrusted to the parliament, the highest legislative body of a nation. If a war broke out there will be a cease fire agreement reached between the countries concerned or through an intermediate country. As the matter concerns the whole nation it should be included in the Union legislative list to enact laws if necessary.

In most global nations, the rule of law, and prevalence of peace and stability and security in the entire nation are important in building a peaceful, modern and developed nation. Thus, the matter should be included in the Union legislative list to enact laws if necessary.

The seven points explained by the Work Committee Chairman should be included in the Union legislative list.

Of the five papers presented by representatives-elect group, the papers presented by the delegates of the National Unity Party and the Mro or Khami National Solidarity Organization are the same as the ones presented by the delegates of the respective parties in the political parties delegate group.

Representative-elect Dr Hmu Htan of Htantalan Township constituency in Chin State, and Representative-elect U Aung Thein of Ywangan Township constituency in Shan State said that the points clarified by Work Committee Chairman U Aung Toe should be laid down as the detailed basic principles.

Representatives-elect U Tin Win of Kyaiklat Township constituency-2, U Thein Kyi of Taungdwingyi Township constituency-1, U Hla Soe of Minbu Township constituency-2, U Mya Hlaing of Twantay Township constituency-2, U Kyi Win of Mingaladon Township constituency-1 and U Tin Tun Maung of Mingaladon Township constituency-2 said that the points explained by the Work Committee Chairman concerning the defence and security should be included in the Union legislative list. Biological and chemical weapons, nuclear energy or pesticides may cause accidents. As accidents may harm locals, the matter should be coordinated with the respective local authorities.

Representative-elect U Tun Kyaw of Namhsan Township constituency in northern Shan State said that it is much important for the nation to have a powerful defence force to stand tall among world countries. Almost every country in the world entrusts the legislative power concerning defence to the central level parliament that has the power to look after every affair of the state.

As the nation needs to safeguard itself from external and internal dangers, it also needs to ensure security for lives and property of the people.

The development drive can be launched only if there is peace, stability and security in the nation.

Thus, the points clarified by the Work Committee Chairman should be included in the Union legislative list.”

The national race delegate group said that the points clarified by the Work Committee Chairman should be included in the Union legislative list.

It also gave a separate suggestion, saying that it will take time to train the soldiers, human resources of the defence sector, to be healthy, gallant and patriotic and to possess Union Spirit. The nation should produce good sons and daughters whose spiritual and physical ability is sufficient for the nation to rely on and who can handle sophisticated weapons and who have high intellectual qualification. Before launching the Naungyoe battle, King Bayintnaung told his soldiers, “In a battle numbers do not matter. What matters is the efforts, brian and efficiency.”

Perpetuation of sovereignty is the inborn duty of all the people of Myanmar. In this age that is seeing rapid advancement in science and technology, the national defence and security task will be effective only if the modern Tatmadaw and the people join forces.

Thus, Myanmar youths will have to prepare to produce healthy, fit, highly-qualified and courageous citizens.

Peasant delegate group said that almost all the nations of the world entrust the legislative power concerning the national defence to the central parliament. National security is as important as the national defence itself. The nation will have security only if there is peace and stability. Utmost efforts can be made for national development only if there is peace and stability. Thus, national defence and security should be included in the Union legislative list.

Worker delegate group said that when it comes to national defence and security, the nation will have to beware of terrorism of the extremists.

Terrorism is spreading all over the world. It is the inborn duty of all citizens to ward off all forces of terrorism. Thus, the defence and security should be laid down as the basic principles of the Union legislative list.

The intellectuals and intelligentsia delegate group said that the legislative sector should focus on laying down long-term and short-term national defence plans and forming a strong, active and brilliant Tatmadaw.

The defence and security should be included in the Union legislative list to enact laws as necessary.

The group suggested the following points;

— To safeguard the territory of the Union of Myanmar and to guard against terrorism and coercion.

— To take into account the conventional arms, ammunition and explosives and strategic arms in enacting a law concerning the arms and ammunition and explosives including biological and chemical weapons.

— To consider compensation and insurance cover for accidents of the persons whose work is concerned with nuclear energy, nuclear fuel and radiation and highly classified material, objects, areas, technologies, researches and information.

In advanced and developed nations laws regarding the information and communication technology are enacted. Thus the nation should take into account the ICT and post-ICT concerning the defence and security sector.

Those of the training programmes and research, health, agricultural and military professions may face health hazards. The persons whose work involves the use and study of minerals may be exposed to health hazards depending on time, type and strength of radiation and situation. Thus, compensation and insurance for those persons should be included in the Union legislative list.

State service personnel delegate group discussed in support of the seven points clarified by the Work Committee Chairman.

Other invited persons delegates group said that since the end of Cold War, the world has expected the emergence of multipolar system. But what it really sees at present is the emergence of the unipolar system. It is time the world nations paid attention to peace and security. They need regional cooperation, self-reliant efforts and strong armed forces. The clarification concerning the defence of the Union and its parts is much appropriate. Thus, the seven points explained by the Work Committee Chairman should be included in Union legislative power.

It gave a separate suggestion, saying that success has been achieved in ensuring regional peace and stability and development, narcotic drugs elimination, and national defence due to participation of peace groups. Their participation has also benefited the Union. They can be called the extra strength of the Union. In the future also, these groups should be maintained as the national strength ensuring peace and security and protecting the lives and property of the people.

In accord with one of the already-laid-down basic principles, which says, “The Defence Services Commander-in-Chief is the Supreme Commander of all the armed forces”, these armed groups should be kept under the command of the Commander-in-Chief in the future.

The use of nuclear energy for defence and military purpose is being opposed in the world at present. Thus, inserting the basic principles concerning nuclear energy, nuclear fuel and radiation and mineral resources that produce them in defence and security sector will be like inviting criticism worldwide. Thus, the matter should be included in energy, electricity and forestry sectors.

Next, the plenary session went into recess for lunch.

It resumed at 1 pm. Alternate panel of chairmen of the meeting, U Tun Yin Law of delegate group of political parties and U Yaw Aye Hla of delegate group of representatives-elect explained suggestions made by the delegates about detailed basic principles on power sharing of legislation that will be included in the State constitution and the meting went into recess again. Later, the plenary session of the meeting resumed. Alternate panel of chairmen of the meeting, U Maung Hla (a) U Hla Myint of delegate group of national races explained suggestions made by the delegates about detailed basic principles on power sharing of legislation that will be included in the State constitution.

The plenary session of the NC continues tomorrow.